Editor's note: This is the second story in a two-part series on the criminal prosecution of a Eureka police sergeant.

Former Eureka Police Chief Garr Nielsen was working as a health care investigator in the state of Washington when he heard EPD Sgt. Adam Laird had been arrested and charged with committing assault while on duty.

"The arrest was troubling, but didn't surprise me given my belief that elements in the 'old guard' wouldn't hesitate to frame Laird for a crime in order to force him out of EPD," Nielsen said in a sworn declaration in the assault case.

Laird was arrested April 17, and has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of assault under the color of authority and filing a false report stemming from a Dec. 6, 2012, arrest. He is accused of kicking a juvenile suspect as he lay on the ground being cuffed by another officer.

Laird's attorney Patrik Griego recently filed a motion seeking to compel the district attorney's office to turn over evidence in the case, arguing that Laird is being targeted for prosecution based on his political and union activities, and his support of Nielsen -- who was fired without cause in July 2011 by then City Manager David Tyson.

The case is scheduled for trial on Dec. 16.

A series of sworn declarations filed with Griego's motion paint a picture of a toxic police department and shed new insight into Nielsen's tumultuous four-year tenure atop EPD, when the entire city was seemingly gripped by a power struggle within the ranks of the department.

Laird's prosecution, Griego and others assert, is only the latest chapter in an old fight.

Hired in April 2007, Nielsen was tasked with reforming and modernizing EPD after the department was involved in a string of five fatal officer-involved shootings in the span of 15 months.

"Within the first three months of being chief, personnel actions I took began to meet resistance in the form of overt complaints, and covert attempts to undermine the direction I wanted the department to go," Nielsen states in his declaration, adding that a self-proclaimed "old guard" hired private investigators to follow him, started malicious blogs, submitted erroneous complaints and grievances, instigated dispatchers to all call in sick on the same day, and took other steps to undermine the "progressive direction of the department."

Harpham and Nova declined to comment and messages left for Zanotti, Stephen, and Reyna-Sanchez were not returned by deadline. Attempts to reach Guy were unsuccessful.

According to former Eureka City Councilman Larry Glass' declaration, the "old guard" worked actively to get Nielsen fired. Glass alleges that officers leaked confidential information from "personnel actions and police" investigations to the media and on blogs.

Amid this backdrop of discord, Laird quickly worked his way up the EPD ranks.

Laird received the top ranking when he tested for sergeant in 2010, according to Nielsen's declaration, but the promotion resulted in a call from Tyson, who reportedly told Nielsen several EPD members complained to him and the city council.

"I believed at this time that Laird was being targeted because of his association with me, and his active participation in seeking the reelection of Larry Glass (a perceived liberal)," Nielsen wrote.

Nielsen said he gave Laird permission to participate in Glass' campaign and other off-duty political events.

Also apparently ruffling feathers was Laird's active involvement in the Eureka Police Officers Association, which endorsed Ron Kuhnel and Glass -- perceived as the two "liberal" candidates for the council seats -- along with Mayor Frank Jager, a former EPD officer, in the November 2010 race.

Contrary to the facts, Glass said in his declaration that the association didn't endorse Jager. Glass said Jager was very upset about it.

Kuhnel and Glass lost the election to Mike Newman and Marian Brady, respectively, ushering in a new era for the Eureka City Council.

Less than one year later, Nielsen was fired and replaced by Harpham. In his declaration, Nielsen said he instantly worried about Laird, saying he "was convinced that he would be retaliated against."

A month later EPD launched an internal affairs investigation into Laird's off-duty political activities and his contact with "charitable workers, including Betty Chinn."

Former EPD Sgt. Mike Quigley, who represented Laird in the investigation, said in his declaration that the probe was initiated by Harpham.

Harpham called Laird into his office after the investigation, according to Laird's declaration, and reportedly told him that fellow officers viewed him as a "kiss-ass" and political, and that he had developed quite a "jacket" at city hall, where he was known as one of the "three musketeers," along with Glass and Nielsen.

"Chief Harpham next informed me that I had been the prior chief's right-hand man, and that was a bad perception," Laird states, adding that Harpham told him EPOA shouldn't have gotten involved with politics or endorsements.

Laird states in the declaration that Harpham told him how upset Jager was over not getting the EPOA endorsement. Contacted Friday, Griego said that despite the inaccuracy, Laird's declaration correctly represents his conversation with Harpham, which Griego said Laird wrote notes on immediately following the Aug. 26, 2011, meeting.

"He stated that we endorsed liberals," Laird said. "He stated that the only good thing about liberals is that they are labor friendly, so they'll give us raises quicker. Other than that, they aren't good for anything."

Laird said he asked Harpham if there was anything about his job performance that he could improve on, to which Harpham reportedly replied, "I really don't have any idea about your performance."

A federal jury in San Francisco delivered a $4.5 million verdict against the city of Eureka the following month, finding that Laird and another officer used excessive force in the 2007 arrest of Martin Frederick Cotton II, who died in jail after an altercation with police.

Harpham publicly defended Laird and the other involved officers at the time, telling the Times-Standard they were "kind" men who were "wronged" by the verdict.

Quigley said he began to worry that Laird -- who Quigley said put more work into building the department than anyone he'd worked with in 25 years -- was being targeted by Harpham and others following the internal affairs investigation.

"I believe it is highly likely that Laird's case was referred for prosecution more because of his political associations and who he is, rather than what he may or may not have done," Quigley stated.

EPD and the DA's Office held a joint press conference on April 17 to announce Laird's arrest. Harpham said EPD "will not tolerate misconduct by any of our officers." Jager, who was in attendance, told the Times-Standard that Laird was a "good officer" but a "bit aggressive in his dealings" and it "appears he went a little too far in this case."

In his declaration, Nielsen said he doesn't believe he's ever seen a case handled the way Laird's has been.

"As a law enforcement officer for over 27 years, I don't believe I've ever seen a case in which a city or county so publicly defamed an officer prior to the conclusion of court proceedings," Nielsen states.